LeBron James said he thought the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade “was a hoax” when he first heard the news early Sunday morning.
The Mavericks traded Doncic to Los Angeles for Davis in a surprise three-team blockbuster with the Jazz that rocked that NBA world.
James, who won a championship alongside Davis with the Lakers in 2019-20, recalled hearing about the trade while he was out out dinner with his family following the Lakers’ 128-122 win over the Knicks in New York.
LeBron James explains how he thought the Luka trade was a “hoax” when he first heard it: pic.twitter.com/ZpqEahMKuz
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 5, 2025
“First time I heard it, I thought it was for sure fake, thought it was a hoax, people messing around or whatever,” James, 40, told reporters after the Lakers’ 122-97 win over the Clippers on Tuesday. “But then when AD Facetimed me, I talked to him for quite a while, and even when I got off the phone with him it still didn’t seem real.
“It still didn’t seem real until I saw Luka today and then I saw the clip of AD at the Dallas shootaround. That’s when it hit me like, ‘Oh s–t this is real.’”
Along with Doncic, the Mavericks traded Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles for Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick in a three-team deal with the Jazz.
Utah received Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 2025 second-round pick via the Clippers and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round pick.
James, who spent six seasons alongside Davis with the Lakers, explained their relationship went beyond the court.
“It was everything and more. We became brothers over the last five and a half years,” he said. “… But more importantly what we were able to accomplish off the floor — just us growing together, getting to know each other’s families, seeing each other’s kids grow. It’s pretty unique. I was at his wedding when he got married. It was special for sure.”
Davis and Doncic, who spent the first six seasons of his career with Dallas, said they were shocked by the trade.
It was the first time in history two current All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason, per ESPN.
James said he had no part in the decision to trade Davis, but he understands the “business of basketball” — adding that Doncic will have a “very seamless transition” to the purple and gold.
Doncic, who is close to returning from a calf strain, sat out the Lakers’ victory over the Clippers.
Davis missed Dallas’ 118-116 loss to the Sixers Tuesday due to an abdominal strain he suffered last week.
The Lakers host the Warriors on Thursday while the Mavericks visit the Celtics in Boston.
